Mojdeh S.

How I heard of this place: We were walking by and noticed a line outside of the bakery. We made a mental note to try it another time, sans line. Our next visit with family from out of country, we decided we should give it a taste. Type of cuisine: Bakery with pastries including cakes, buns, muffins, cookies, danishes and more. Espresso and iced beverages also available. Ambiance: The inside seems cute, though we were hastily informed that it's off limits when we tried to enter the side doors (where other customers were streaming in and out, and we were eventually told we could sit to partake of our treats). Staff were less than friendly, but took our drink and pastry orders at a walk-up window, where the glare on the pastry case, as well as the number of things obstructing proximity to the window made it difficult to see and decide. The interior "cafe seating" is limited to three tables with only a couple of chairs at each, a staircase leading up to the offices/homes? above, and the "off limits" area directly to the opposite side. The small side table was covered in a layers of dust so thick, it was distracting and made us feel like shrinking into our seats without touching or skimming past anything. What I ordered: We selected a raspberry cheese danish, a blueberry cheese danish, a slice of carrot cake, a chocolate torte, and a lavender shortbread cookie. For our drinks, a mocha, two peppermint steamed milks, a watermelon Italian soda and a large brewed coffee. What I loved: The cheese danishes were the only items we would order again, based solely on flavor, though the croissant-like base left something to be desired (seemed stale and day-old). The chocolate torte was cake-y, not "fudgey" like we were told, and the shortbread hard rather than soft and buttery. The carrot cake left much to be desired in all respects. Why I loved it: The convenience of location, directly opposite the Fairhaven green made for an easy stop. Cost: High, overpriced.

Jenna D.

The croissants. The eclairs. The scones. The danish. Yes, there is a line and yes, it's still closed inside due to covid. Don't worry about it - the stuff is worth it. And now that the weather is nicer, you can sit outside at one of the tables and nosh on some superb French-inspired pastries. When I went, there was a full tour bus' worth of tired, surly-looking high school kids behind me, so I felt a little rushed in choosing. Truly, these baked delights look like works of art. I panicked and chose very quickly without much thought. I got a scone, a chocolate snail, a vanilla eclair, and a ham and cheese croissant. I was getting breakfast for a few people, don't judge me! We got home and dug in. Needless to say, while I didn't put much thought into my purchase, everything was delectable. It was so good, we didn't even bother heating them up, and the worst part of it all was that I had to share. Next time I go, I want to try the coffee, the quiche, and a few other pastries, and I might not even share.

Jennifer J.

O M G This place has been on my "must try" list for, like, evs. Well today was the day as I found myself in Fairhaven, hangry, and needing more caffeine. From the moment I got out of my car I could smell the amazing deliciousness emanating from this tiny little bakery. And from the line at the counter, I'm guessing I wasn't the only one! Iron Rooster describes itself as a French bakery, and I can't disagree. Their display case was FULL of pastry deliciousness. From croissants and cakes to quiche and other delights, there was something for pretty much anyone. Since I hadn't had breakfast yet, I opted for a bear claw - a gorgeously layered pastry stuffed with eggs, cheese, and sundried tomatoes. Warmed up perfectly, this little delight was absolutely delicious and satisfied my rumbling tummy. No sooner was I done biting into my bear claw when my vanilla oat milk latte arrived. Served in a 12-oz "here" cup and adorned with #latteart, it was a thing of beauty that I didn't really want to disturb. So I finished my bear claw and took a few lovely pics of my beverage before I dove in. I'll say it again: OMG. This is, I'm pretty sure, the best cup of coffee I've had in Bellingham. (And if you know me, you know I've had a LOT of coffee!) It was sweet, but not too sweet. Vanilla-y, but not too vanilla-y, creamy (like it was made with real milk, but it wasn't), and the coffee-to-other-stuff proportion was off the charts. I had trouble not drinking it too fast, and then more trouble not ordering a second one! I can hardly wait to go back and make sure this cup of java perfection was not an anomaly, but the real deal. My only regret about the Iron Rooster is that I didn't visit sooner. They've been open for awhile now and I can only live in sorrow at the coffee (and pastry) deliciousness I've been missing!

Marie B.

Catching up on Yelp reviews. This was from yet another spontaneous solo road trip, this time via Chuckanut Drive to Bellingham's Fairhaven District back on 8/25/18. I haven't visited Fairhaven in a long time, so when I took a random left turn and found Iron Rooster Bakery, definitely it was time to park the car. Glanced at a nearby crepe place, nixed my usual Colophon Café from the past, the bakery won hands down! I'm glad I stopped in and stayed awhile. The pastry case itself was a beautiful sight on this drizzly day. I enjoyed talking with the café/bakery owner. Evidently he and his wife opened this bakery a year ago, having relocated from New York to be near his sister in Vancouver, BC Canada. A New Yorker by birth and a fondness for VanBC - these were good signs indeed! The variety of baked goods was phenomenal. The pastry chef is his wife. As I was enjoying a pastry with my lovely crafted mocha, I was charging my phone and absorbing the ambiance of this indie bakery/café. Loved it so much started texting people about it and attaching the same photos I posted to Yelp. I can say that folks from Arlington stopped by later that day, another co-worker and her friend also visited the following weekend, as did another co-worker and her friends also that same weekend. Full disclosure: I did complete a pastry certification, studied in both Seattle and on a baking scholarship to Aurillac, France. Worked as an assistant pastry chef in a well known established restaurant in Seattle a lifetime ago. This place would be at least 15 Yelp stars, if this were only possible. I was offered a tour of the pastry kitchen which I politely declined. Last time I did that, was at the late Le Bec Fin in Philadelphia to which I still regret. I will return with an out of state Yelper next month on our way to Willows Inn up on Lummi Island. Hopefully that offer still stands. Outstanding technique, taste, execution, and presentation! Amazing! Like how I feel about Breadfarm in Edison, definitely Iron Rooster Bakery is a must stop in Fairhaven. Heading north? Leave home earlier and detour to this spectacular bakery. I'm very serious about my boulangerie, patisserie, viennoiserie, chocolate and coffee choices. Spread the word, this is a gem you don't want to bypass!

Kendra Y.

This place is GOOD! Visited on a whim, on a rainy day, just wanting to explore the town after making a trip to the book store and cafe across the street. My sister in law got an almond croissant, which was TO DIE FOR! All the pastries looked amaaaazing! My husband and brother in law got a coffee and a mocha, which they were very pleased with. I was too full from the cafe across the street to be able to get anything but had tastes of the families items. :P Best way to do it, right? The decor was so quaint and super cute! Christmas cookies were displayed hanging in the window: adorable! The dog bowl outside, next to iron rooster, was indication of the dog-friendly atmosphere that I can expect on a day when walking outside permits. I would love to visit again when I'm in the area!